What is a Norwegian Nisse?
A nisse (Danish: [ˈne̝sə], Norwegian: [ˈnɪ̂sːə]), tomte (Swedish: [ˈtɔ̂mːtɛ]), tomtenisse, or tonttu (Finnish: [ˈtontːu]) is a mythological creature from Nordic folklore today typically associated with the winter solstice and the Christmas season.
Is there a Santa figure in Norway?
Santa Claus, known in Norwegian as Julenisse, is himself a sort of nisse.
Was Santa born in Norway?
For instance, did you know that Santa was born beneath a rock in Vindfangerbukta, north of Drobak, several hundred years ago? Well, that’s okay – the good people of Drobak, a charming town on the east side of the Oslo Fjord (just half an hour outside Oslo), are happy to tell you all about it.
Why do Norwegians hide their brooms on Christmas Eve?
Wicked Christmas Norwegians believe that Christmas Eve coincides with the arrival of evil spirits and witches. Logically, therefore, households will hide all their brooms before they go to sleep. Another tradition popular in Scandinavia is that of the Christmas goat (Julebukk in Norway or Julbock in Sweden).
What are Christmas traditions in Norway?
Before Christmas we decorate the house with wreaths, angels, gnomes, hearts, stars, and maybe a nativity scene or a gingerbread house. More and more people also decorate their houses on the outside with lights and wreaths. Most families have a Christmas tree in the living room.
Where should I go for Christmas in Norway?
Norway’s Top 10 Christmas destinations
- Oslo. The capital may be an obvious and slightly boring choice for some but with decorations and fairy lights everywhere, Oslo is a glorious sight all through December.
- Alta.
- Tromsø
- Finnmark.
- Notodden.
- Røros.
- Lillehammer.
- Bergen.
Why is Christmas on the 24th in Norway?
Christmas Eve in Norway Christmas Eve (julaften) is the 24th, and is the main day of Christmas celebration in Norway. Because Norwegians believe that the arrival of Christmas coincides with the arrival of evil witches and other spirits, there is a tradition of hiding all the brooms in the house.
What is the difference between a Nisse and a gnome?
Norwegian gnomes: History of gnomes in Norway Like Swedish gnomes, Norwegian gnomes are playful figures who can either be pranksters, or close friends. A common part of Norwegian folklore and legend, the Nisse have a long white beard with a conical or knit cap, often in red or another bright color.
Why do people in Norway call Santa Nisse?
The whole thing is a linguistic misshap, nothing else. It is because the Swedes called Santa “Nisse” which is a nickname for Nils and we adopted that here in Norway. The real nisse don’t like this at all.
What does the nisse mean in Scandinavian folklore?
The nisse will deliver gifts at the door, in accordance with the modern-day tradition of the visiting Santa Claus, enters homes to hand out presents. The tomte/nisse is also commonly seen with a pig, another popular Christmas symbol in Scandinavia, probably related to
Who is the most common Christmas icon in Norway?
But despite his home being so close, Santa Claus is not the most common Christmas icon here in Norway. That honour goes to julenisse. A creation from Scandinavian folklore, a nisse (tomte in Sweden) is a short creature with a long white beard and a red hat. Julenisse means the gift-bearing nisse at Christmas time.
Why do people in Norway wear Nisse masks?
Nisse are deeply ingrained in Norwegian culture and tradition and to this day, family members masquerade as “nisse” by putting on a mask and a costume on Christmas Eve asking the children “Are there any good children here?” – of which most children will say: “Yes, I am good”.